Be Strong and Courageous

Transcript

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Welcome to be on Sunday and day seven of our anchored in God's Promises series. Whether you're listening while walking the dog, sipping your coffee, or just taking a deep breath before the day gets away from you. I'm so glad you're here. This morning, we're leaning into a promise that has helped believers face fear for centuries. It's one of those verses you may have heard before, but today we're gonna slow down and let it sink in with fresh perspective. Joshua one, nine says, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord. Your God will be with you wherever you go. Let's get this outta the way. God isn't saying don't feel afraid. Fear's natural. It comes in waves when we're uncertain about our future, stepping into something new or facing challenges that seem bigger than us. Fear is a real emotion, but it doesn't have to lead. Joshua knew that feeling well. He had just taken over leadership from Moses, the guy who parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites for 40 years. Now, Joshua's supposed to guide a nation into unknown territory. Yeah, that's overwhelming. So God speaks directly to what Joshua feels and tells him something deeper. You can be afraid, but don't let fear make your decisions. You can be tempted to feel discouraged, but don't let it have the final word because you're not going alone when God says, have I not commanded you? It's not a guilt trip, it's a reminder. It's as if he's saying, Joshua, I'm the one who called you to this. I'm not sending you out hoping you figure it out. I'm sending you out with a promise that I'm with you, and maybe today you're stepping into something unfamiliar, A new role at work, a tough conversation, parenting challenges. Don't we all have those? A health diagnosis, A season of waiting. Hear this. If God has called you into it, he is also committed to walk with you through it. You're not expected to manufacture strength or courage on your own. Those things come from knowing that you're not in this alone. Courage doesn't always look like charging in the battle. Sometimes courage looks like showing up to the same hard thing again, today, courage is praying even when you don't feel like God is listening. Courage is continuing to be faithful when you don't see immediate results. I remember talking to a friend whose marriage was in a rough place. He told me every day I want to give up, but every day I ask God for enough courage to stay committed for just one more day. That's what Joshua level courage looks like. It's not the absence of fear, it's obedience in spite of it. This is the heartbeat of the verse, the God's promise of wherever you go. He said, the Lord your God will be with you. Wherever you go, not just in the church seats, not just in the big moments, but wherever. Wherever includes the boardroom, the hospital room, the quiet room where no one sees your tears, the car ride, when anxiety is trying to strangle your peace, you are not alone. You're never alone. That is the anchor for your strength, that is the foundation for your courage. So here's your challenge for today. Where in your life do you feel afraid or overwhelmed? Write that area down. Then next to it, write this. God is with me here. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to know who walks beside you. Let's pray. God, thank you for reminding us that we don't have to be fearless to be faithful. Thank you that you never call us without promising to be with us today. Would you give us strength to keep going and courage to obey you, even when we're uncertain? Remind us that we're never alone in Jesus' name, amen. Thanks for spending these few moments in God's word with me of today's promises. Reminded you of someone who's going through something hard. Take a second. Send them this episode. And don't forget, Tori, subscribe. We're just getting started. I'll meet you back here today for day eight. Of anchored in God's promises.